Pungent smell from Aquahot

[JC70]

We picked up a new Dynaquest XL on August 27th from the dealer. Did a very thorough PDI but did not run the Aquahot. Took a short trip and now have the rig in our side yard getting ready to store it in November with no trips planned.

When the Aquahot unit reaches temperature, it emits a very strong pungent smell. Had a certified mobile tech look at it and the smell appears to be coming from a rubber hose next to the burner unit. For the moment, we decided to run the unit (thermostats on) for the next week or so to see if the unit will "burn off" the smell.

The XL did sit on Dynamax's lot for 4 months waiting for parts to finish.

I am in contact with Aquahot to see what their engineers/techs might offer as a solution. In the interim, has anyone encountered this before? The unit sits under the bedroom so the smell inside is quite annoying.

Thanks for any insights. Joe.

[MoJoe1003]

We’re on our second XL and have never had this issue. Looking forward to the resolution.

[JC70]

Here's an update. Bottom line is the unit is leaking probably from inside the burner and dripping fuel onto the housing pan underneath.

Tech support from Aquahot has been really good. I am not a plumber nor a tech so each time I remove the cover I see more. As you know the unit sits parallel to the bay making it difficult to get a good look at the burner and pump assemblies.

So I went after the residue I found on the pan and when I slide a shop towel underneath and forward of the burner assembly I came back with fuel on the towel. Even with a headlamp on, it is almost impossible to visualize the area underneath the burner and next to the burn chamber.

Here's a quote from the tech: "If the residue is the diesel fuel in the bottom of the Aqua Hot, this could be the source of the smell. Does it seem to smell like diesel to you? You just need to find out where it is coming from. Sometimes the unit can leak from inside of the burner and drip down to inside of the pan. "

I was able to reproduce the leak this morning after switching on the unit and waiting for it to rise to temperature. Found more fuel in the same location after the unit cooled enough for me to get in there.

Mobile tech has been contacted and hope to have him here next week. He will have to remove the burner assembly to find the leak. Let you know final resolution.